Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-09-01

sharper Of the first water. had ascer-
tanned in some way best known TO him
self that the sachel contained some-
thing Of considerable value, or he new
er would have shadowcd' ats possess
sdr so pcrsistently. I'm advertise il
for the boy soon's ever we get home"
he mentally decided, and then gave his
undivided attention TO the responsibility
consequent upon his command.
MIR. Small" said Captain Flagg.
grayely, shave the decks cleared up,
an then let the port watch 20 below"
AYE, aye, sir" answered the long
legged, sandy-haired youth, who. in
his dual capacity of officer and crew,
was "Mr. Small" o. "Eph," according
10 circumstances. That is, as Chief
Mate he was addressed with the pre-
fix of ''Mr.;" rs . member of the port
watch, which now consisted of himself
and Tad, he received his more familiar
title Of "Eph."
Come for'ard along Of me,n said
Mr.. Small, ungrammaiically and
brusqucly. motioning to Tad, who wa.
staring at the passing tugs and vessels
in open-eyed amazcment, and the lat
ter meekly obeyed. "Them's the lib
halyards," said Mr.. Small. reclining in
an easy posture against the foremost,
with ono hand in his trousers pocket,
while with the other he pointed 10 the
rope in question, ian you coil 'cm up
on that air pin, same as the othc-s is"
o. Tad having accomplished the task
satisfactorily, Mr.. Small proceeded to
point out in their several positions the
jib dOwn-haul, the fore and main hal
yards. and peak halyards, and the fore
and main sheets, with some instructions
as to their several uses, showing Tad
how to coil them up properly. so that
they would be clear for letting go If
needful.
"Thcrc-thcm's all the ropes" said
Mr.. Small, with an air Of relief.
Now, all you've got to do is learn
how 10 steer, an tic n reef pint, an
yOu'll be as good sailor as ANYBODY"
So saying, Mr. Small pulled Jack
knife and piece Of shingle from his
pocket, and. setting down on the fore
hatch, began whiting, while Tad,
greatly surprised and considerably re-
lieved to find that the whole art # sea-
was so easily learned. drifted
To the rail, where he stood gazing
delightedly at the panorama spread
out before him. Great ships, pulled by
little painting tug-boats-w sides rusty
from long sea-yoyage slowly
ip the harbor; while others, with loos-
sned sails, began their Outwarl-bOund
voyage, with the chanting song of the
sailors rs an accompaniment to the
'lanking capstan. Enormous iron
steamers, handsome brigs and three
nasted schooners as large as the ships
themselves, passed and repassed, in be-
succession.
81 think it's real nice TO be a sailor"
aid Tad, enthusiastically, TO Polly,
Who was walking the deck. followed
" the small dog. Polly had named
lin Bounce, and as he trotted sober
at her heels, on q pair Of very short,
legs, he resombled nothing so
much as an animated bunch Of black
ePhyT worstcd.
"Oh, l knew you'd like it, was Pol
US confident answer, ''and you'll like
all the better before the voyage is
yer."
Tad was quite delighted at this pros
'eot But It occurred to him all at
nce-and for the first time-that II
he voyage should be very long one
q was rather poorly or for clothes.
'hough perhaps (he thought) Captain
'lagg could stop somewhere on the
ray and buy him few, out Of the
ages which he was beginning TO earn.
Who're is the vessel bound TO,
iissg" asked Tad. respectfully. being
ineh impressed By the matter-of-fact I
tanner q, which Polly spoke Of the ,
oyage that lay before them. II
rNhy, away down East 70 RlxporL